Rodriguez all set to be part of package

Now healthy, fullback just wants Bears to give him chance

October 26, 2012|By Vaughn McClure, Chicago Tribune reporter

Evan Rodriguez was all dressed up with nowhere to go Monday night.

The rookie fullback expected to return to the field for the first time since spraining the medial collateral ligament in his left knee during the Week 3 victory over the Rams, but he didn't play against the Lions despite being active.

Rodriguez understood why.

"My package was small because going into the short week, they weren't sure if I was going to be in the game plan or not,'' he said. "When we got to the game, we weren't really in any situations where they needed me.''

Rodriguez said he was designated for short-yardage duty only against the Lions. The Bears had just four such situations, including three consecutive goal-to-go plays from the Lions' 3-yard line. All three plays were incomplete passes and no one lined up at fullback.

Rodriguez said the health of his knee was not a factor and he expects to play against the Panthers on Sunday in Soldier Field.

"I just have to be patient," he said.

Injury update: Quarterback JayCutler, who suffered bruised ribs Monday night when Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh body-slammed him, had full participation in practice for the second consecutive day Friday. He is set to face the Panthers, though he was listed as probable on the injury report.

The only Bear unavailable for Sunday is receiver Alshon Jeffery, who continues to be sidelined with a broken right hand.

"We had a great week of practice, we're healthy … so we're excited about that," coach Lovie Smith said.

For the Panthers, star defensive end Charles Johnson was limited for the second consecutive day with a hip injury, but he's listed as probable for Sunday. Also probable are defensive tackle Dwan Edwards (hand), tight end Ben Hartsock (calf) and cornerback Captain Munnerlyn (leg). Defensive end Antwan Applewhite (thigh) is out, while defensive end Thomas Keiser (elbow) is doubtful.

Fine and dandy: The NFL confirmed receivers Brandon Marshall and EarlBennett each were fined $10,500 for wearing orange cleats Monday night. Bennett racked up $15,000 in fines last year for wearing them, and the league threatened to toss him from the game and give the Bears a delay-of-game penalty if he did it a third time last year.

Bennett, who plans to appeal his latest fine, didn't rule out wearing the cleats again.

Bennett initially said Marshall influenced him but then called it a mutual decision.

Lions cornerback Alphonso Smith was fined $15,750 for a horse-collar tackle of Marshall.

Ticket fraud:Scott Hagel, the Bears vice president of communications, said more than 100 counterfeit tickets were confiscated at Monday night's Lions game, with one arrest made.

"We just want to get the message out to our fan base to make sure who you're getting your tickets from,'' Hagel said. "If you're not a season-ticket holder, Ticketmaster and the NFL Ticket Exchange are the only 100 percent sources of getting tickets for games.''